Working during mat. leave?

hvtang · January 2013

Hi ladies,

I haven't posted here before but figured you might have some good insight for me. I am expecting our first baby in April, and I am discussing the details of my maternity leave with my boss today. My plan was/is to take 12 weeks off (combo of STD, vacation time, and unpaid).

However, I work 100% from home, and I'm wondering if I should offer to work 5-10 hours a week after taking the first week (or two?) off, and get paid hourly for that time. It would certainly help money-wise, and then I would feel like I was keeping on top of stuff. I'll be out at a somewhat busy time of year for us, and I'm paranoid about having a temp there doing the work. Am I crazy to think I could commit to 1-2 hours a day with a newborn? Has anyone done anything similar? Any/all advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Ms5586 · January 2013

I wouldn't offer before maternity leave, you may be held to that and change your mind later.

Personally, I wouldn't have been comfortable working at all the first month. After that I probably could've done 2-3 hours/day.

Maybe wait until you're fully healed and feeling well, then calling your boss and offering to work for a few hours?

pdilly2b · January 2013

The temperament of your baby will be the primary factor in determining if this is possible. My son basically woke up, breastfed, then went back to sleep for 2-3 hours around the clock, so this would have been possible for me. However, I know others whose babies have required constant holding and coddling and even then still cry constantly so it would have been impossible for them. It really depends on the kid and you don't know which situation you're going to have until your baby is here. It may also vary some week-to-week. This is also assuming your recovery goes smoothly, which may not necessarily be a given either. I don't know if you can express this desire to your boss and then have a solid back-up plan in place (either for family to be at the house with you to help or the temp at work ready to take over) in case you don't have any downtime or aren't in the condition to do work.

ASmallWonder · January 2013

Know that you are not allowed to work while collecting STD. If you're well enough to work, you're well enough to work so they'd deny your claim. But, once you're past the STD window, how you want to handle it is up to you. Personally, I feel like if you can afford to not work, do that. You could work some (some people go back at 6 weeks so it's not impossible) but it really is a combo hard time/amazing time and if you can soak it in, all the better

hvtang · January 2013

This is all excellent feedback, thank you ladies! I didn't realize that about STD, so that is a big factor. I think playing it by ear sounds like the way to go - I will have 6 weeks of STD, so if things are going well I could definitely offer to work a few hours a week after that runs out. I have the money saved up to take the time completely off, but it will be a bit tight. But probably worth it in the long run.

SunAndRain · January 2013

I took 20 weeks maternity leave and left in the middle of a big project and am the ONLY one at my company that can do my job and on top of that the person who was supposed to be covering for me (as best as she could - and she is a very intelligent woman) LEFT the company mid-way through her coverage of my maternity leave.

You know what? Both the company and the project survived.

Take your maternity and enjoy the GIFT that is TIME spent focusing on you and your new baby!

FemShep · January 2013

As the end of your STD approaches, see how you feel about it. I would be very reluctant to commit to anything before the baby is born; there are so many unknowns that will impact your ability to work.

Good luck!

loneybaloney · January 2013

I sort of did this. I was essentially available via email and participated in a few conference calls. it helped me stay up to date and helped the company out also and then they gave me some flexibility in terms of starting slowly after my leave was up. good luck.

hvtang · January 2013

SunAndRain:
I took 20 weeks maternity leave and left in the middle of a big project and am the ONLY one at my company that can do my job and on top of that the person who was supposed to be covering for me (as best as she could - and she is a very intelligent woman) LEFT the company mid-way through her coverage of my maternity leave.

You know what? Both the company and the project survived.

Take your maternity and enjoy the GIFT that is TIME spent focusing on you and your new baby!

Thanks - I think I needed to hear this! I'll be working for most of my life, and taking this time is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

itsmevkb · January 2013

I've worked part-time from home during three out of my four maternity leaves. I do not get short term disability so that was never an issue for me. I think it's funny that you aren't allowed to work at a job while on short term disability but it's fine for you to take care of a baby during that time (which, depending on the baby and the job, can be equal or even harder work). But, I digress.

I've actually worked as much as 20 hours a week while on maternity leave. It wasn't because I thought the office couldn't do without me, they certainly can, it was because I didn't want to return to work with no leave available to me and because I wanted to be able to be at home for 12 weeks and for some of my leaves I didn't have 12 weeks of sick and vacation time saved up.

For me it's worked out really well. But, I wouldn't recommend it for a first time mom, although I think doing 5-10 hours a week is totally doable. I agree with the other posters who say give yourself a few weeks with your baby and then what, if any, work you want to add in. There is something to be said for just being home all that time with your baby.

cltk12 · January 2013

Do not offer to work during your leave. Spend the time with your baby and rest when baby is sleeping! 2-3 hours a day will turn into 4-5, etc.

You will never get this time back with baby so enjoy it and don't worry about work.

financialdiva · January 2013

FemShep:
As the end of your STD approaches, see how you feel about it. nbsp;I would be very reluctant to commit to anything before the baby is born; there are so many unknowns that will impact your ability to work.nbsp;Good luck!nbsp;

I agree with this.

Also, Don't feel obligated to work while on leave. I mean, if you want to do it for the money, that's one thing, but the company will survive. :]